Florida: Week 2

Week two of our Florida trip was just as refreshing and relaxing.

One night after the girls went to bed and the sun started to set, we sat outside to capture all of this beauty. As pretty as this picture is, it isn't even the best of it. The sunset kept getting better and better. God's artwork is breathtaking and we sat for a while to take it all in.

Then, we commissioned Mama to paint us this picture for Christmas!

We celebrated Father's Day in Florida with a lunch at Nagymama's Hungarian Club. We had classic Hungarian food and spent time with some of her friends before heading home to swim for the rest of the afternoon. That night, we took Daddy out for some Father's Day icecream.

There is a reason all the girls in this house refer to this guy as "Superman". It takes a really special daddy to lead this house full of girls.

"Superman, help there is a spider!" "Mommy, where's my Superman?" "Superman, want to play dollhouse with me?" "I love you, my Superman!" I'm pretty sure this is a special name that is going to stick around for a while. You don't need a house full of boys to love superheroes!

Father of the Bride was on the night before Father's Day and we watched some of it before bed. Superman had to hold Ella and comfort her when she realized the bride didn't marry her daddy and was going away somewhere with her new husband. She was devastated at the thought and cried into her daddy's shoulder with her arms wrapped around his neck.

We celebrated this guy a lot on Father's Day, but want him to know year round how loved and appreciated he really is!

It was about 98 degrees outside on Father's Day morning and it was one of the only days we all got dressed up for the luncheon. After a five minute photo shoot outside, it felt like we were literally melting, but we still managed to capture some sweet ones. I can't imagine what life in that climate would be like without air conditioning. Wow! It's hot.

Buffy and Oliver became the best of friends on this trip. It takes a lot for Buffy to snuggle for long periods of time, so when this happened it was extra sweet.

Abby had a Father's Day vision. She did Muffins for Mom on Mother's Day and wanted Donuts for her daddy on Father's Day. When you say that at Mama's house, you don't go to Dunkin. Mama disappears into the kitchen and before you know it delivers these beauties poolside.

The sun and water wiped the girls right out. Play hard. Rest hard.

Mama's neck!

One night after dinner, we headed to beach to spend some time by the ocean at a much calmer and cooler time of day. I love the pictures from that night.

The girls spelled their names in the sand. We even took a picture of baby girl #3's name in the sand. Just about two more months before we reveal it to the world! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua9Q4C4dajE&feature=youtu.be

Joe took turns taking his girls on dates throughout the week. We found a sweet little bakery that was the perfect spot.

This quote says it all for me and really struck me on this trip.

afternoon popsicles!

On one of our last days, the girls started a project with Mama as a memory of their trip. They made special boxes covered in seashells they collected at the beach. Mama helped the girls paint the boxes. We attached a picture of Mama and the girls at the beach. Then, we put the seashells all around it. My brother made the same craft with Mama when he was eight and brought it home to me that year. I kept it for years and even brought it to college with me!

For our last full day in Florida, we spent the whole day in the pool and then the evening at the beach. We went through the Chick-Fil-A drive thru and brought our dinner to the beach for a picnic. Then, we spent the evening swimming.

loving the ocean with her daddy

I was so excited for my big girl who took huge brave steps in the ocean this year. Last year, she didn't even want to play in the ocean because she was afraid of the waves and salt water. On our last night, she was running and splashing through the waves with a big smile! Watching her run free and full of joy reminded me of how much life there is in the courageous when we stop living in fear.

Ella was buried in the sand and became a mermaid.

We knew the trip couldn't last forever and we couldn't have asked for a better time. We were all pretty sad to say goodbye, but so so thankful for every minute of our trip together as a family with Mama. Minus the need to catch up on lots of sleep after a really long car trip, we came home feeling fully rested. Some vacations are hard work, but I think a true vacation is one that sends you home feeling refreshed! I was so refreshed that I was ready to scrub my kitchen floor and get back to work when I got home. THAT is a gift! :) Thank you for everything, Nagymama! Your home is such a sweet refuge for us. We love you and are already looking forward to next year when we will bring our littlest lady with us.

We're home!